Ole Miss Picks Up Commitment from Jayveous McKinnis, Three-Time SWAC Defensive Player of the Year

OXFORD, Miss. — Once the college basketball season ends, the portal season begins. It really goes on all year, but at this point in April is really when the phrase “Gone Portalin'” takes on a whole new meaning. Teams begin to have end-of-year meetings between coaches and players and an increasing number choose to enter their names into the transfer portal for a number of reasons.

This time of the year is a way for teams to add talent and experience that can change the outlook for a team for its upcoming season.

Ole Miss is looking to make its mark in the transfer portal. It’s been discussed that the Rebels are looking to add three, or potentially four, players via transfer this offseason.

For more information on who is on the Rebels’ radar in the portal, check it out HERE.

On Monday, head coach Kermit Davis received a commitment from Jackson State star Jayveous McKinnis. After he entered the portal on March 23rd, it didn’t take long for Ole Miss to get McKinnis in for a visit and on the board.

McKinnis announced his commitment in a social media post.

I’m honored by the coaches who’ve reached out and shown interest in me while in the transfer portal. It wasn’t a easy decision, but I’ve decided to verbally commit to Coach Kermit Davis and the Ole Miss Rebels. I look forward to helping the rebels take over the SEC. 🔴🔵🏆 pic.twitter.com/ww32P5UTZe

— J. (@Jayveous__) April 4, 2022

McKinnis comes to Ole Miss after starting 99 of a potential 103 games in four years at Jackson State. For the last two seasons the Brandon, Miss. native averaged a double-double.

This past year he notched 14 double-doubles. For the season, McKinnis averaged 12.4 PPG and 10.3 RPG while also adding 2.9 BLK.

There is no shortage of accolades for McKinnis. He is a three-time member of the All-SWAC team and has been named the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year three times. In 2020-2021, he was second in the nation in rebounds per contest after averaging 13.2 per game.

Here is a list of the following statistical categories in which McKinnis has led the SWAC during his four years in Jackson.

Jayveous McKinnis Awards and Accolades

If you haven’t checked out his section in the transfer portal tracker (shameless plug) I wrote about his skill set and how he plays his game, you should do so.

“McKinnis has an insanely high motor for the college game. His rebounding tenacity is one of the best in all of college basketball and should translate to whatever program he chooses. As a scorer, McKinnis can score with his back to the basket, or off of face-up mid-range shots.

“He hits consistently from ~15 feet out on his jumpers. In the post, he uses a blend of his wide frame and leaping to power up and through defenders. With the ball in his hands, he is very direct, making one or two dribbles to the basket for a finish. He has a solid post-hook over his left shoulder.

“Defensively, he can affect the game as a rim protector. A disciplined defender his size (220 but very muscular with a wide football-ish frame), he can push opposing bigs out into the mid-post. His room for improvement stems around getting more footwork and adding some counter moves in the post. With some teaching, he can be a high-energy player at the top level of college basketball.”

Jayveous McKinnis is having a block party. He's up to three blocks. @GoJSUTigersMBB pic.twitter.com/TgqkmEGFZY

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) December 1, 2021

McKinnis will look to come in and make an immediate impact for the Rebels as an interior anchor. Ole Miss finished  13-19 overall and 4-14 in the conference.

In the past couple of weeks, the program has seen some shakeups as five players have transferred out (Luis Rodriquez, Sammy Hunter, Austin Crowley, Eric van der Heijden, and Grant Slatten). On top of that, two assistant coaches have moved on as Levi Watkins returned to his alma mater at NC State under Kevin Keatts and Ronnie Hamilton has joined Matt McMahon’s staff at LSU.

Stay tuned for updates as they occur!

(Feature image graphic: Lee Ann Herring, Rebel Walk)